Good morning, Dear Reader!
Since I've recently decided to primarily use Big 3 Free nail polishes, with the "Big 3" being toluene, formaldehyde, and DBP (dibutyl phthalate), I've been paying more attention to them and how other people are using them as well. I thought I'd pass on the results of some of my own experience and some research I've done on the topic in light of something I've observed.
I've noticed other ladies doing something which I've found does not consistently work: mixing Big 3 Free products with "regular" products, or those which do contain any of the Big 3 (in my experience, specifically toluene and formaldehyde). By mixing products I mean combining a base coat and color, or color and top coat, that are not of the same composition. What's happened to me with that is (i) using a toluene containing top coat over B3F color resulted in the nail polish coming off in large chips within hours, and (ii) using a formaldehyde containing base coat under a B3F color resulting in severe staining of the nails. Mixing products may work for a given color, but odd results may also happen - it simply is not predictable, and is thus not recommended.
I'm not suggesting that one should necessarily stick to using the same brand for base, color, and top coat, but that one should be aware that B3F products are not intended to be combined with toluene, formaldehyde, or DBP, and strange outcomes can occur when they're mixed. I do know that several of the B3F companies, notably Zoya, Nubar, and Carolyn New York, strongly recommend the use of their own base and top coats with their color.
To be honest, I've been mixing brands myself, using Nubar Nu Nails Nail Strengthener as a base and Nubar Diamont Seal & Shine Quick Dry as a top coat with Nubar, CNY, Orly, and Zoya colored nail polishes and have had fine results. I just wanted to point out the companies' recommendations, as it's likely a "your mileage may vary" issue.
I just wanted to get that little product rant out there, Dear Reader. Now that it's out I can say until next time, love and nail polish to you!
Showing posts with label application. Show all posts
Showing posts with label application. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Saturday, September 6, 2008
How I Do My Nails
Hello, Dear Reader!
I've had a few reader requests asking precisely how I go about doing my nails, and so I thought, "I have a little light, I have a little time, I'll explain it now."
I start by removing my old polish, using a total of three of the textured round cotton cosmetic pads. I use the the first to remove the polish from my left hand using pure acetone, the second to do the right, and since pure acetone has a tendency to redeposit dissolved polish, I then go over all ten nails with the third using Studio 35 (Walgreen's brand) acetone remover. While I'm doing the remover tidy-up, I also push back my cuticles with the wet cotton pad. I'm now ready to apply polish.
I always start with a base coat, but am not married to any particular one. Sally Hansen Age Correct is good, as is NailTek II Foundation Ridge Filling or Nutra Nail, for general use. For Essies I use Essie Ridge Filling (otherwise Essies are chippy on me), and for Chanels I use a Chanel base coat for the same reason. The two I don't like are Orly Bonder and Creative Nail Design Stickey, as I get major staining of my nails when I use either of those. I apply one coat of whatever base coat, trying to fully cover the nail while not getting any on my cuticles. I dip the brush and wipe off the back of it inside the bottle to remove excess for each nail to apply. Once that's done, it's time for color.
For this example, I chose the potentially steakiest polish I could, which is SpaRitual Steel Magnolia. On the first coat, I don't worry about streaks, only placement of the polish. I start out by applying a small drop near the cuticle.
Rather than stop and take a picture of it, I normally immediately use the brush amost parallel to the nail to push the polish close to the cuticle, then up the length of the nail in as straight a line as possible. With only one free hand, I used paper to illustrate the position of the brush below. I first do the center of each nail, then the left side following the cuticle line, then the right.
For the second coat, I simply have to follow the placement of the first coat, and I do pay attention to streaks. Holding the brush as shown above, they're minimal and can be prevented using thin coats of polish, but if one appears I lightly brush it out immediately.
Immediately after finishing the second coat, I apply quick-dry top coat, either Seche Vite or Poshe. Each has advantages and disadvantages, which we'll save for another post because both are good enough to own. In applying the top coat, after applying it to the surface of each nail, I apply it around the edge of the nail as well to prevent it from shrinking the polish back.
That's it! The mani's done. The process usually takes me 8-10 minutes total. Here's the finished product:
Love and well-applied nail polish to you, Dear Reader!
I've had a few reader requests asking precisely how I go about doing my nails, and so I thought, "I have a little light, I have a little time, I'll explain it now."
I start by removing my old polish, using a total of three of the textured round cotton cosmetic pads. I use the the first to remove the polish from my left hand using pure acetone, the second to do the right, and since pure acetone has a tendency to redeposit dissolved polish, I then go over all ten nails with the third using Studio 35 (Walgreen's brand) acetone remover. While I'm doing the remover tidy-up, I also push back my cuticles with the wet cotton pad. I'm now ready to apply polish.
I always start with a base coat, but am not married to any particular one. Sally Hansen Age Correct is good, as is NailTek II Foundation Ridge Filling or Nutra Nail, for general use. For Essies I use Essie Ridge Filling (otherwise Essies are chippy on me), and for Chanels I use a Chanel base coat for the same reason. The two I don't like are Orly Bonder and Creative Nail Design Stickey, as I get major staining of my nails when I use either of those. I apply one coat of whatever base coat, trying to fully cover the nail while not getting any on my cuticles. I dip the brush and wipe off the back of it inside the bottle to remove excess for each nail to apply. Once that's done, it's time for color.
For this example, I chose the potentially steakiest polish I could, which is SpaRitual Steel Magnolia. On the first coat, I don't worry about streaks, only placement of the polish. I start out by applying a small drop near the cuticle.
Rather than stop and take a picture of it, I normally immediately use the brush amost parallel to the nail to push the polish close to the cuticle, then up the length of the nail in as straight a line as possible. With only one free hand, I used paper to illustrate the position of the brush below. I first do the center of each nail, then the left side following the cuticle line, then the right.
For the second coat, I simply have to follow the placement of the first coat, and I do pay attention to streaks. Holding the brush as shown above, they're minimal and can be prevented using thin coats of polish, but if one appears I lightly brush it out immediately.
Immediately after finishing the second coat, I apply quick-dry top coat, either Seche Vite or Poshe. Each has advantages and disadvantages, which we'll save for another post because both are good enough to own. In applying the top coat, after applying it to the surface of each nail, I apply it around the edge of the nail as well to prevent it from shrinking the polish back.
That's it! The mani's done. The process usually takes me 8-10 minutes total. Here's the finished product:
Love and well-applied nail polish to you, Dear Reader!
Friday, August 22, 2008
Reader Requests: A Word on Patching, Application, and Some Pictures
Good morning, Dear Reader! Thank you for all of your supportive comments. They are truly appreciated.
One comment I'd like to address is Masa's suggestion that I patch the nail, and she provided a link to an excellent how-to in her blog. The reason I did not do that in this case is that I've found that although this method is effective for most, my nails are a bit sturdier than average, and have proved to be sturdier than a patch. Within a day, the nail is rebroken under the patch. When I have a tear that would go into the nail bed, I do use this method, but in order for it to hold I have to top it off with a small patch of acrylic (from the do-it-yourself fake nails kits), and as soon as it's grown out far enough to file off the nail, I do. The small patch of acrylic is effective, but a PITA to maintain, as products for artificial nails have to be used on that nail, which is just a big hassle. So rather than go through the trouble of growing out a manageable tear, I normally just file my nails off.
Since today's pictures aren't so new and exciting, I thought I'd also mention how I apply polish, as that's a question that has been asked by more than one reader. I've found that the "trick" is to start about one third of the way up the nail bed away from the cuticle, and start by applying a small drop of polish and pushing it down toward to cuticle and stopping just short of it, then applying up the rest of the nail with the brush almost parallel to the nail (so I'm using the side of it more than the end). The first coat takes longer than the second for me, as I'm establishing where the polish will go in the first. For the second coat, I just follow what I've already done. Basecoats make a big difference, but that's a whole can of worms we can open up another day.
On to today's pictures! The first is my solution to feeling a little insecure about the new shorter nails. What's a woman to do when she's lost something that makes her feels feminine? Why, apply the sexiest damn red that's ever existed, that's what! For me, that's Dior Vernis Poppy (Coquelicot), #999. It's a European release that I got my hot little hands on, and I'm thrilled with it.
Our other picture for today is one you may have seen before, but not here. It's today's NOTD (Nails of the Day), China Glaze's Gussied Up Green, which comes down to being the new and improved Jasper Jade. I might have comparison pics of the two forthcoming if you'd like to see them, Dear Reader. They're incredibly similar, and if backed into a corner and forced to choose one and only one of the two forever, it would be Gussied Up Green. I added this picture today because a reader specified a preference for dark colors, so I thought I'd add a picture to make that reader happy today.
So that's all for today, Dear reader. Love and nail polish to you!
One comment I'd like to address is Masa's suggestion that I patch the nail, and she provided a link to an excellent how-to in her blog. The reason I did not do that in this case is that I've found that although this method is effective for most, my nails are a bit sturdier than average, and have proved to be sturdier than a patch. Within a day, the nail is rebroken under the patch. When I have a tear that would go into the nail bed, I do use this method, but in order for it to hold I have to top it off with a small patch of acrylic (from the do-it-yourself fake nails kits), and as soon as it's grown out far enough to file off the nail, I do. The small patch of acrylic is effective, but a PITA to maintain, as products for artificial nails have to be used on that nail, which is just a big hassle. So rather than go through the trouble of growing out a manageable tear, I normally just file my nails off.
Since today's pictures aren't so new and exciting, I thought I'd also mention how I apply polish, as that's a question that has been asked by more than one reader. I've found that the "trick" is to start about one third of the way up the nail bed away from the cuticle, and start by applying a small drop of polish and pushing it down toward to cuticle and stopping just short of it, then applying up the rest of the nail with the brush almost parallel to the nail (so I'm using the side of it more than the end). The first coat takes longer than the second for me, as I'm establishing where the polish will go in the first. For the second coat, I just follow what I've already done. Basecoats make a big difference, but that's a whole can of worms we can open up another day.
On to today's pictures! The first is my solution to feeling a little insecure about the new shorter nails. What's a woman to do when she's lost something that makes her feels feminine? Why, apply the sexiest damn red that's ever existed, that's what! For me, that's Dior Vernis Poppy (Coquelicot), #999. It's a European release that I got my hot little hands on, and I'm thrilled with it.
Our other picture for today is one you may have seen before, but not here. It's today's NOTD (Nails of the Day), China Glaze's Gussied Up Green, which comes down to being the new and improved Jasper Jade. I might have comparison pics of the two forthcoming if you'd like to see them, Dear Reader. They're incredibly similar, and if backed into a corner and forced to choose one and only one of the two forever, it would be Gussied Up Green. I added this picture today because a reader specified a preference for dark colors, so I thought I'd add a picture to make that reader happy today.
So that's all for today, Dear reader. Love and nail polish to you!
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